The Goring Heath Charities were established in 1724 from a bequest in the will of Sir Henry Alnutt, Barrister of the Middle Temple, London. Henry Alnutt left his entire estate to three main charitable causes; discharging the debts of prisoners at Marshelsea Prison, building of 12 almshouses at Goring Heath, and the schooling, clothing and apprenticeship of poor children from the parishes of Goring, Cassington, Checkendon and Ibstone (Bucks.).
Originally there were 12 almshouse cottages, as well as a nurse's cottage and schoolroom. A separate boys school was added in 1877 and a girls school was added later. The almsmen also received an allowance, medical attention, clothing and fuel. Outfits were also issued to the schoolchildren, known as 'Foundation scholars'.
The endowments of the will of Henry Alnutt were augmented in 1828 and 1847 by bequests made in the wills of Rev. Robert Baker, former chaplain of the almshouses, and John Baker of Bromley, Kent respectively.
This collection was originally deposited with the Record Office in 1964 as accession 477 and was catalogued as the 'Alnutt' collection. A further deposit (accession 2344) was made in 1985.
Since the collection was deposited, a number of items have been permanently withdrawn by the depositors. These are:
(Former reference)
Alnutt II/18 (1 item): Survey of woods including number and value of trees, undated
Alnutt II/43 (1 item): Abstract of Enclosure Award, 1812
Alnutt IV/3 (1 item): Minute Book, 1875-1896
Alnutt V/80-83 (4 items): Concerning bequests made under will of Revd. John Baker, 1840
Alnutt V/91 (1 item): Copy of will of John Baker, 1823
Alnutt V/99 (1 item): Summary of new scheme, 1875
Alnutt VI/1 (1 bundle): Bundle of correspondence re school buildings at Goring, 1876-1877
Bibliography:
Baker, J.H. The Story of the Chiltern Heathlands. 1932. Golder, Reading
Eureka Partnership. The Goring Heath Charity: Scholars, Apprentices and Almsmen 1737-1927. 2004. Eureka, Aylesbury.
The whole collection was recatalogued in July 2007 by Hannah Jones.